Motivation can be one of the great tools in golf, and Chaparral's team has plenty of it this season.

Despite having had two players, Branden Barron and Jack Mathis, finish among the top six individuals, the Wolverines finished second in Class 5A last year. They were one shot behind six-time champion ThunderRidge.

Most importantly, Chaparral is dedicating the season that starts today to the memory of recent graduate Caleb Lierman, who died this spring from a diabetic episode. The top-ranked Wolverines already have golf shirts with a "C" as the logo, but they are adding an "L" to the badge so Lierman's initials will be displayed by every Chaparral golfer.

"Caleb was one of the best all-around athletes I ever coached in 11 years," Chaparral coach Eli Moore said. "A super individual. He established a relationship with everybody. No matter who you were, he wanted to get to know you."

Barron already has felt the loss of his Chaparral mentor.

"It's huge, especially for me," Barron said. "Caleb was a great player. He's the reason I went to Chaparral. He kind of took me under his wing when I went out for the team.

"He was competing against me for the top spot, and to be that generous was really something. It's unheard of for a senior to be that nice to a freshman."

Lierman invited Barron, then in eighth grade, out for a round of golf when he was considering open enrollment at either Grandview or Chaparral. After the 18 holes, Barron was a Wolverine.

"It was an incredible friendship and he was basically like a big brother to me," Barron said. "He also would come and support us at regionals and state after he graduated. Just to have this happen was tragic, but it really makes you appreciate the time that you have."

Barron won a couple of state junior golf tournaments during the summer and finished high in others. He is a heavy favorite to be the 5A medalist, but winning might not be such a consuming goal.

Barron has learned from another friend, Steve Ziegler, the two-time 5A medalist from Legacy now at Stanford. Barron finished second in state two years ago and fourth last season, but he isn't stressing about titles.

"The thing he kept telling me is that you can't want it too bad," Barron said of Ziegler. "If you want it too bad, then you tighten up and try to do too much. When the tournament comes, I think the only thing I'll be thinking about is my first shot."

"I basically have two No. 1s," Moore said. "Jack has stepped up his game and is now a scratch golfer. This is as deep as we've ever been. Chaparral has never won a state championship except for cheerleading, and we'd really like to bring one home."

The connection with the Lierman family continues as well. Barron played a Denver Country Club tournament Monday and his caddie was Loel Lierman, Caleb's father.

Loel Lierman spoke to the Chaparral team Wednesday about the upcoming season and Moore said it was quite a speech. Moore is moved when he speaks about Caleb and the Liermans.

"I am driven by his family strength, and he was truly a very special individual - you could ask any coach in our league," Moore said. "The reason that coaches coach and players play is to be around somebody like Caleb Lierman."

NOTEBOOK

• Cherry Creek coach Bob Kubiak admitted to being apprehensive about the Bruins' chances this season, but he was soothed by an excellent summer showing by the returning golfers. The Bruins did graduate Matt Rubin, who tied for seventh place at state. But senior Jack Farrow was a semifinalist in the Colorado Golf Association Junior Match Play Championship, losing out to eventual champion Mark Hubbard. In addition, Alex Gutesha now has significant varsity experience, and Brian Dorfman qualified for the U.S. Junior Amateur tournament during the summer.

• Boulder's Oliver Grabb joined Farrow as the other returning high school golfer who made the semifinals in the state's junior match play event at Wellshire Golf Course in July. Will Logsdon beat Grabb, but by a close score of 2-up. Logsdon graduated from Evergreen and will play at Hastings College in Nebraska. Hubbard, a Colorado Academy graduate, is headed for San Jose State.

• When a team wins six consecutive state championships, graduation eventually will take its toll. Although ThunderRidge might not have the depth to capture Class 5A title No. 7 this fall, the Grizzlies of coach Jim McCord still have a contender for medalist. Junior Josh Hardman tied for seventh place in state at Pinehurst Country Club. Hardman shot 70 on the second day, tying him with eventual champion Steve Ziegler of Legacy and first-day leader Chris Hyten of Pine Creek for the second-best round of the tournament.

• Mountain Range is not the first team considered a contender in Class 4A — the school is in only its second year. Still, Mustangs coach Tom Norfolk is pretty optimistic about his program. The Westminster school won the summer Gold Crown season title with Clay LaBrel, T.J. Lovato and Trevor Landgraf playing significant roles. Junior Ben Scott is the elder statesman, as well as the team leader and captain.

• Who are the other most-improved golfers in 5A? Chaparral standout Branden Barron mentioned Zahkai Brown, and the Pomona senior indeed shot an impressive 74-71 at Vista Ridge Golf Club this summer in an attempt to qualify for the U.S. Amateur. Chatfield's Robert Quick also had several strong results during the summer, and Chargers coach Steve Schimpeler noted that Quick shot 32 on the front nine at The Meadows during practice before finishing with 73.

CLASS 5A TOP 3

1 Chaparral: The Wolverines have two returnees who finished among the top five in state last season.

2 Douglas County: Derek Fribbs and Cody Kent com- peted well last year, and they might get help from a freshman.

3 Pine Creek: Chris Hyten led the field after the first day at state and is back for his senior season.

TOP 5A PLAYERS

Player School Year

Nick Allen Dakota Ridge So.

Branden Barron Chaparral Sr.

Zahkai Brown Pomona Sr.

Casey Coy Chatfield Jr.

Brennan Dolan Fairview Jr.

Brian Dorfman Cherry Creek Sr.

Russell Einsphar Arvada West So.

Alex Eisenach Brighton Jr.

Jack Farrow Cherry Creek Sr.

Derek Fribbs Douglas County Jr.

Oliver Grabb Boulder Jr.

Alex Gutesha Cherry Creek Jr.

Josh Hardman ThunderRidge Jr.

David Holtgrewe Arapahoe Jr.

Calan Hoppe G.J. Central Jr.

Wills Hougland Chaparral Sr.

Chris Hyten Pine Creek Sr.

Cody Kent Douglas County So.

Ben Krueger Pine Creek So.

Jack Mathis Chaparral Sr.

Glen Nowell Fairview Sr.

Robert Quick Chatfield Sr.

Scott Whiteman G.J. Central Sr.

CLASS 4A TOP 3

1 Kent Denver: Graduation losses hurt the Sun Devils, but Beau Schoolcraft and Matt Schovee return to lead one of the deeper small-school squads.

2 Greeley Central: The Wildcats won it all two years ago and return two medalist contenders.

3 Peak to Peak: Senior Kaleb Mahanes is the only returning member of the Rocky Mountain News' 2006 All-Colorado team.

TOP 4A PLAYERS

Player School Year

John Ahern D'Evelyn Fr.

Brenden Beeg D'Evelyn Jr.

David Hanley Kent Denver Sr.

Pat Hill Holy Family Sr.

John Hong St. Mary's Jr.

Steven Kupcho Peak to Peak Fr.

Clay LaBrel Mountain Range So.

T.J. Lovato Mountain Range Fr.

Kaleb Mahanes Peak to Peak Sr.

Joshua Mathis Classical Academy Jr.

Cody Miller Kiowa Jr.

Will Percy St. Mary's Sr.

Beau Schoolcraft Kent Denver Sr.

Matt Schovee Kent Denver Sr.

Ben Scott Mountain Range Jr.

Steven Sloan Classical Academy Jr.

Brandon Tomasovich Greeley Central Sr.

Chris Tschady D'Evelyn Jr.

Jay Tymkovich Peak to Peak Sr.

Nick Umholtz Greeley Central Jr.

Zach Young Kiowa Jr.

pearcea@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5352

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